Surviving the '50s, '60s...

[Katt in Hat]

Taxpayers must Pay for Years of Aftercare...

When a "Freedom Lovin'" yolt cracks his gourd on the pavement 'cause he don't have to wear no stinkin' helmet in this State.

A young guy can cost us simple, decent, hard workin' folk $MILLIONS$ whilst he enjoys years of bed rest while connected to a respirator and a feeding tube and catheter.

Too graphic an example for yuh? As Casey Stengel famously said, "You can look it up!" :arated:

 

[Baron Kurtz]

You've made a good point. But, do we need the government telling us this? Also; how small of a child? 12 years old and 90 pounds? That sounds like overkill to me.

I'm talking small child. Maybe under 8-10? 12 and 90 pounds - that's probably about the same size as me! So, no, that would be over the top - but they should have to wear their seatbelts ... Many people are killed in collisions because the un-belted person in the back flies forward and breaks the neck of the person in front.

You've given another good point. But, does this require government action to prevent me from my own stupidity? If condoms help prevent the spread of syphyllis and other VD's then why aren't condoms required? Why don't cops, ask to see if you have a supply of condoms in the glove box like check you if you're not wearing a seatbelt.

I've fallen off my bike numerous times, over the handle bars, sideways, down hill etc. Bumped my head. No helmet. But helmets also give a false sense of security. They won't prevent neck injuries or spinal injuries for that matter.

In the socialist (or whatever vestige of socialism is left in Europe) conception, part of the role of government is to prevent one from one's own stupidity. I agree with this to some extent. You clearly do not. Should suicide be considered a crime? I believe not. This is one example of where i believe government has no role to play. fftopic:

I understand you're point of view. Europe never had the degree of freedom we had/have in the United States.

I agree. D*mn Thatcher!!

bk

 

[John in Covina]

Dalexs proffers us a bit of pseudo-nostalgia. I quote only a conclusion which he has drawn, of "the good old days". "You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good."
Yeah, DOWN WITH!!!
1.Automobile Safety Regulation
2.Child Safety Regulation
3.Industrial Safety Regulation
4.Mine Safety Regulation
5.Pure Food and Water Act
6.The progression of Scientific Knowledge
7.BRING BACK NUCLEAR ATMOSPHERIC TESTS
But that's just me... :rage:

*************

There real question is HOW did we survive with out all those regulations?

 

[Burma Shave]

Katt:

You said: "When a "Freedom Lovin'" yolt cracks his gourd on the pavement 'cause he don't have to wear no stinkin' helmet in this State. A young guy can cost us simple, decent, hard workin' folk $MILLIONS$ whilst he enjoys years of bed rest while connected to a respirator and a feeding tube and catheter."

That, too, is a problem of hyper-active government. If people were responsible for their own lives, their own healthcare and their own insurance, it wouldn't cost "us simple, decent, hard-workin folk" anything at all when they screw their own lives up.

If people accepted responsibility for themselves, we wouldn't be in this predicament.

Meanwhile, I'm self-insured. I can't afford health insurance. I could, of course, if the government didn't take money from me to pay for other people's insurance. Yep: If you receive medical assistance from the government, I'm paying your way.

Someone pointed out the dangers of airbags a few posts back. Did you know that some parents have actually been charged with manslaughter when their own children were killed by airbags? In one case I know of, a father was actually convicted of causing his young son's death. The kid was killed when he was hit in the face by a pickup truck airbag. The court said the father should have had the airbag on that side of the truck disconnected -- after the government pushed for the airbags in the first place!

Over-regulation kills!

 

[Katt in Hat]

Suppose the injured party runs out of the money he has

Let's say
his 1/2 $Million is spent on his care and is used up. We throw him on the Street???

 

[Burma Shave]

Of course!

Unless you're willing to pay for his continued care.

And before you answer that question, remember that there are such things as charities. There are charity hospitals (ever heard of the Shriners?), doctors who would do much more charity work if they were allowed, etc.

That being the case, the chance of anyone actually being "thrown out on the street" is slim. One thing's for sure, though: Our government is not supposed to function as a charitable organization.

In some ways, I wish it would: Charities aren't allowed to spend money they don't have, they aren't allowed to take people's money against their will, they don't have the power of the police and military backing their "fundraising efforts."

Currently, government consumes close to 50 percent of every dollar you earn. If that percentage was cut drastically to, say, 15 percent, would you be willing to donate substantially more to charitable organizations? I know I would. And helping people who were put in hospitals through no fault of their own would probably be one of the things I'd donate to. At least that way I'd get to choose who to support.

 

[Lincsong]

What about all the money associated with care for AIDS patients? There are lots of ways to stop the spread of AIDS, but none are ever talked about. What about the millions spent because someone is having very dangerous forms of fun in the spread of AIDS?

This country survived for close to 100 years without bicycle helmet laws. There wasn't a huge increase in head injuries from bicycle accidents. They were enacted because a bunch of do-gooders in both parties want to "feel good" about legislation.

Sure a small child should be held in a carseat. But why is the age limit continuing to be raised? It's just so the manufacturers can make money.

 

[CWetherby]

I think the age/weight got raised to 8 years/80 lbs largely due to the efforts of a mom whose child was not sitting in a booster seat and was killed in a crash. She lobbied for some time to have the law changed to protect other people's children, so they wouldn't have to experience a loss like hers. Unless I'm mistaken she was not a politician, just a grieving mother.

Now maybe, instead of a gov't mandate, it could have been gov't mandated education (much like the education required to obtain a license to drive---helpful for all to know the rules of the road). "Parents, please use booster seats and at least THINK about the safety of your child, instead of thinking only of your own selfish agendas for a change."

Just a thought[huh]

 

[John in Covina]

You want Darwin, well let's have Social Darwinism.

Common Sense and critical thinking are slipping away and as such people need government to think, for them plan for them. to protct them from themselves, and catch them when they fall. It's why you need labels to tell you not to bring the blow dryer in the shower.

Now by artificially saving the stupid, we artificially continue that gene stock in the gene pool. Maybe it's a government conspiricy for ease in all those mind control experiments their doing. If we can get them just dumb enough, those supposed cell phone towers will be able to broadcast their controlling rays, just like in the movie "They Live!"

Get the tin foil ready to make the caps to block the rays!

 

[Steve]

Back on topic, I'd like to say something that I mulled over this in my blog a while back. If I could be born in a year of my choice, it would be 1940. In my view, the fifties were the ultimate "fun and innocent" era for someone of my age. Things were so much less complicated. On a normal day I feel like I'm doing good if I can merely stay focused in the face of all of the modern era's distractions. If only...

 

[Baron Kurtz]

What is your age? if you don't mind the question ...

This isn't directed at anyone in particular. Rather at a concept which i keep beating on about:

I have real trouble with the notion that things were any less complicated in the 50s. They were simply different. No better, no worse. People appear to have had the same problems we have (sexuality, politics, etc.), and some different ones; we have some issues they didn't have. The problem with nostalgia is that it tends to lull one into the false belief that nothing was bad in the past and nothing is good in the present, or will be good in the future. Especially if that nostalgia is being peddled by those who weren't there (From the age poll it would seem that most FLoungers (~70%) fall into this category). My work (graduate student) brings me into contact with many people (professors) who grew up around the 50s. Their reminiscences really don't sound very different from my own - I grew up in late 80s and 90s.

On the other issue: Ignore the modern era distractions. Internet is my only distraction (and i only check emails, The Guardian, eBay - of course!! - and the FLounge). I read lots (novels, history, politics, etc.) and spend lots of time Thinking.

Get rid of your TV and your playstation if you have them. Get rid of your car (probably unworkable, i know). Stop going to shopping malls. Try to use as little energy (gas, electricity) as possible - this will mean being cold in the winter, and hot in the summer. Get away from eating prepackaged foods. Prepare meals from scratch. Try to shop at small stores rather than all-in-one stores. Support mom 'n pop businesses. This will cost you money.

It's really very easy with a little bit of restraint.

I don't mean to be condescending. This is how i live - and the only way i can get through the day without breaking stuff.

Fight the system!! It deserves a battle. Now let's all sing the Internationale and we can get on with our lives

bk

 

[Shaul-Ike Cohen]

Very sound view, Herr Baron.

Add to this list that some of us might have an allergy or two less, but some others wouldn't be alive or live a much more miserable life (diabetics etc.).

 

[mysterygal]

It probably is basically just the same now as it is then...the one thing that comes to mind though, is all the 'weirdness' that's going on lately..example, there's been in the news lately of people trying to snatch kids, but now recently, these weirdos are getting a whole lot more brazen about it, there has been attempts right in broad daylight in public places.
As far as buying at mom and pop stores...I think it's great you do that! For me, it's a little unafordable with a family.[huh] ....plus, can't let the kiddies get cold in the winter time

 

[John in Covina]

How did it happen?

One thing that is hard to fathom, is it seems for regular people their 'personal' time is shrinking. We have more devices that are supposed to be labor and time saving, yet the ability to have personal time is shrinking.

One thing that I always think of representing the 50' and 60's was the family vacation. Pack'em up in the Family Truckster and head off across country to visit the teepee motel, the world's largest ball of string and a famous amusement park as seen on TV in living color.

Has anyone had Christie Brinkley pass them in a Ferrari lately? Holiday Road!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

One thing that is hard to fathom, is it seems for regular people their 'personal' time is shrinking. We have more devices that are supposed to be labor and time saving, yet the ability to have personal time is shrinking.

This i don't get. The working week is no longer - on average - right? Or marginally longer. I know more people work Saturdays than used to. I meet a lot of people who are rushing through life ... never have any time ... especially never have any free personal time ... never actually get anything done ... VERY inefficient. So, is personal time really shrinking, or is it only our perception of our personal time that's changed? I work at least 80 hours a week (60 if i don't work saturday & sunday), and i get plenty personal time - including time spent with the Baroness. Now that summer is here i'll be altering my schedule to earlier time to get up in the morning so i can enjoy the evenings (can't beat a quiet cigar and single malt on the porch of a summer evening!). But then, i get to control my time schedule. Noone cares if i swagger into work at 1400 or if i leave at 1600. Because that just means i need to leave later, or i arrived earlier than normal. But it's not like set working hours are a new thing ...

Has anyone had Christie Brinkley pass them in a Ferrari lately? Holiday Road!

Well, there was that dream ... But that's a different story

bk

 

[Brad Bowers]

I work at least 80 hours a week (60 if i don't work saturday & sunday), and i get plenty personal time - including time spent with the Baroness.

No offense, bk, but I don't see why anybody would want to work more than 40 hours a week! Play time is far more important to give it up to work more than that!lol

Brad

 

[Michaelson]

One thing I remember vividly is when you fell and scraped your knee, my Mom didn't use iodine, but she slathered a good dose of mercurchrome on the area, and sent us on our way. The orange stain was a badge of 'courage' to the other neighborhood kids. Little did we know that this mercury based treatment was probably killing our brain cells....but then, what the hey. You didn't need any when you were roller skating on slate side walks with tied on metal skates and no helmet.

By the way.... What's a helmet?

Regards! Michaelson

 

[Baron Kurtz]

No offense, bk, but I don't see why anybody would want to work more than 40 hours a week! Play time is far more important to give it up to work more than that!lol

Brad

Yeah, and when i get a real job i'm sure i'll work less. I actually enjoy what i do. And any less than 60 hours per week and i'd be spending 10-15 years getting my degree rather than 5-5 1/2.

I'm lucky enough to enjoy my job.

My point was that i work like a dog for peanuts money, and still have tons of free time. I don't see where the idea that people have less personal time comes from.

bk

 

[Burma Shave]

I was born in '72...

...and I guess I was lucky. I was one of 5 kids and the only car my parents had for years was an Opel Kadet (Cadet?). No chance of any car seats in that thing! We were packed in tight enough, however, that they could have used a sign on the outside of the car, saying "Contents under pressure. Do not incinerate or puncture."

My dad was a geology and astronomy professor, and had me caving when I was 2, and he taught me how to rappel (sp.?) out of his observatory when I was 6, before taking me with his students to do 80-foot cliffs. When I was 4 I was riding a bicycle all around our neighborhood. And yes, I fell down. Yes, I got hurt. I still have scars from the stupid things I did. But I learned to take care of myself, and no one ever mollycoddled me. What my parents did was simply keep an eye on me to make sure I didn't go too far beyond the edge of reason.

Baron Kurtz: It sounds like our modes of life are somewhat similar. Yes, I work between 60-80 hours a week, but I too get to make my schedule, for the most part. I just don't waste what free time I have on television, and that leaves me much more free time than the average person appears to have.

 

[Steve]

On the other issue: Ignore the modern era distractions. Internet is my only distraction (and i only check emails, The Guardian, eBay - of course!! - and the FLounge). I read lots (novels, history, politics, etc.) and spend lots of time Thinking.

Get rid of your TV and your playstation if you have them. Get rid of your car (probably unworkable, i know). Stop going to shopping malls. Try to use as little energy (gas, electricity) as possible - this will mean being cold in the winter, and hot in the summer. Get away from eating prepackaged foods. Prepare meals from scratch. Try to shop at small stores rather than all-in-one stores. Support mom 'n pop businesses. This will cost you money.

It's really very easy with a little bit of restraint.

I don't mean to be condescending. This is how i live - and the only way i can get through the day without breaking stuff.

Fight the system!! It deserves a battle. Now let's all sing the Internationale and we can get on with our lives

bk

Sir, you just described the way I want to live; except that being the age of sixteen, I have a hard time making blanket calls like those in my home.